Edinburgh University genetics research centre to receive £60 million funding

By NATALIE WALKER
Published on 27/08/2012 13:09

A PIONEERING genetics research centre in Scotland is to benefit from almost £60 million of funding.

The Medical Research Council has revealed the money wll be used to help scientists at the Edinburgh University centre to gain fresh insights into conditions such as cancer, arthritis and schizophrenia.

The university’s Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine (IGMM) hope the funding will lead to the development of new therapies and testing for patients.

The funding will be made over the next five years and will cinfirm the centre’s position as a world leader in genetics research.

Institute director, Prof Nick Hastie said: “The challenge we face is to work out how human genes work together to build a human.

“We also want to find out how subtle DNA differences help shape human diversity and influence susceptibility to a wide range of common diseases. This funding will help us to turn the potential of the genetic revolution into reality.”

The money has been awarded to teams carrying out research on schizophrenia, cystic fibrosis, cancer, osteoarthritis and genetic eye disorders, amongst other conditions.

The IGMM is a partnership between the Medical Research Council, the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research UK.